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Title: Pablo Neruda Book Of Questions – Bilingual Spanish-English Author: Pablo Neruda (1904-1973) Illustrator: Paloma Valdivia Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books Copyright: 2022 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Sara Lissa Paulson Original Title: Libro de las Preguntas Original Copyright: 1974 ISBN: 978-1-59270-322-7 Hardcover pages: 80 Age range: 5 up Genre: Picture Book, Poetry Author’s ethnicity: Chilean Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chilean Illustrator’s residence: Santiago, Chile Awards: Nobel Prize in Literature 1971 Subjects: Bilingual, Chilean, Hispanic, Imagination, Poetry, Questions, Spanish |
Tag Archives: Nature
My Name Is Bana
![]() Seven-year-old Bana, a Syrian girl from Aleppo, took to Twitter to describe her war-torn home. In this picture book memoir, she offers her perspective on the war and being a refugee. She explains the origin of her name. Bana is a tall bushy tree that grows in Syria. Her father and mother wanted her to be strong just like the tree – being kind to others, standing up against injustice, and being brave in the face of fear. She also shows her strength by bringing joy to her brothers amidst bombings, starting over in a new country, and speaking to world leaders on behalf of Syrian refugee children. The illustrations rendered in acrylic paint and finished in procreate are emotional and bright. Arabic words are smoothly integrated into the text. An author’s note tells that the book is based on a true story. mjw |
Title: My Name Is Bana Author: Bana Alabed Illustrator: Nez Riaz Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2021 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1534412484 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture book, Autobiography Book setting: Syria and Turkey Author’s ethnicity: Syrian Author’s residence: Turkey Illustrator’s ethnicity: Pakistani Illustrator’s residence: Boston, MA Awards: 2022 NCSS Notable Books Subjects: Autobiography, Biography, Children’s writings, Human rights, Refugee children, Syria – Civil War, Trees |
It’s Up To Us: Building A Brighter Future For Nature, People, and Planet
![]() This beautifully illustrated book is introduced by King Charles. His call to action for our planet is divided into four sections –Nature, People, Planet, and Terra Carta. The Terra Carta is a plan of action for the Earth created by HRH the Prince of Wales, now King Charles. The text is included in the book. Thirty-three award-winning artists from around the world have contributed wonderful artwork. Profiles of the illustrators are included as back-matter. The story tells how Nature operates and how People have damaged it. Information about the Prince’s Foundation and an index/glossary are also provided. mjw |
Title: It’s Up To Us: Building A Brighter Future For Nature, People, and Planet Author: Christopher Lloyd Illustrator: 33 artists from around the world Publisher: What On Earth Books Copyright: 2022 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-9137505-6-5 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture book, Information book, Nonfiction Author’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s ethnicity: 33 illustrators from around the world Subjects: Climate change, Conservation, Earth, Environment, Global community, Green living, Prince of Wales, Recycling, Sustainability. Terra Carta, Values |
Born Behind Bars
![]() Nine-year-old, low-caste Kabir was born in jail in Chennai, India, because his mom is serving time for a crime she didn’t commit. He ends up living on the streets when a new warden decides that he is too old to still be living in jail. He meets Rani, a Roma girl, who helps him survive in the harsh, ugly outside world. He eventually finds his grandparents and a helpful lawyer who gets his mother released from jail. This story told through the lens of a young boy is both educating and entertaining. Kabir is brave and optimistic. Like Venkatraman’s other books, A Time To Dance, Climbing The Stairs, and The Bridge Home, this book is unforgettable. mjw |
Title: Born Behind Bars Author: Padma Venkatraman Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC Copyright: 2021 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0593-11247-2 Hardcover pages: 273 Age range: 10 up Genre: Fiction, Novel Book setting: Chennai, India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2022 NCSS Notable Books, 2022 South Asia Award Winner Subjects: Homelessness, India, Poverty, Prejudice, Prisoners’ families, School, Street children |
Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue
![]() The colored pencil drawings are stunningly beautiful in this incredible true story about war veteran James Howard Williams; Bandoola, a working elephant; and Po Toke, the elephant’s keeper. They work together on a teak plantation in Myanmar (Burma), a country in Southeast Asia that was a colony of the British Empire. When World War II forces them to evacuate their home in the jungle, they lead a group of over 200 refugees and over 50 elephants across mountainous terrain to safety in Assam, India. A table of contents, a map, a wonderfully illustrated glossary, suggestions for further reading, and an author’s note add to this highly educational masterpiece. mjw |
Title: Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue Author: William Grill Illustrator: William Grill Publisher: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd. London Copyright: 2021 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-83874-123-8 Hardcover pages: 88 Age range: 8-14 Genre: Picture Book, Information Book, Nonfiction Book setting: Myanmar and India Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: London Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: London Awards: Author /Illustrator has won the 2015 Kate Greenaway Medal Subjects: Asian history, Burma, Deforestation, Elephants, Green living, Jungle, Logging industry, Monsoons, Mountains, Rainforests, Timber, Timber elephants, World War II |
When The Sakura Bloom
![]() In winter, people “hustle, bustle; hurry, dash” to work and to school. Little by little the days get longer and warmer. In spring, the Sakura (Japanese cherry) trees begin to bloom. Birds visit the brand new cherry blossoms. The people realize that something is different. They pause. The Sakura blossoms make them happy and everyone enjoys the Sakura Festival. The delicate illustrations perfectly complement the message of the importance of slowing down to appreciate the moment. mjw |
Title: When The Sakura Bloom Author: Narisa Togo Illustrator: Narisa Togo Publisher: Berbay Publishing, Australia Copyright: 2022 Original Language: Japanese Translator: Michael Sedunary Original Title: Sakura Ga Sakura Original Publisher: Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers, Inc. Tokyo, Japan Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-0-6489-5331-9 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Japan Author’s ethnicity: Japanese Author’s residence: Japan Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: Japan Subjects: Cherry blossoms, City life, Festivals, Sakura, Spring, Trees |
Dulcinea In The Forbidden Forest
![]() It’s Dulcinea’s birthday and her father is making her pancakes with blueberries and whipped cream. However, they forgot to buy blueberries at the market. Dulcinea’s loving father knows that blueberries grow in the forbidden forest – the forest that he told Dulcinea to never go into because a witch, who is a hideous singer, lives in a castle there. He decides that nothing could happen to him in the forest, but then the witch sees him and turn s him into a tree. Dulcinea braves the dark forest, sneaks into the castle, finds the witch’s book of spells, and frees her father. The short chapters in this easy-to-read book are just right for young readers. The funny, inky black-outlined illustrations and the orange and brown palette perfectly enhance this hilarious, contemporary fairytale. mjw |
Title: Dulcinea In The Forbidden Forest Author: Ole Konnecke Illustrator: Ole Konnecke Publisher: Gecko Press. New Zealand Copyright: 2021 Original Language: German Translator: Shelley Tanaka Original Title: Dulcinea im Zauberwald Original Publisher: Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH and Co. Munich Original Copyright: 2021 ISBN: 978-1-776573-95-0 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 5-9 Genre: Fairytale, Fiction Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Germany Subjects: Birthdays, Fathers, Humor, Witches |
The Words In My Hands
![]() The art journal of Deaf sixteen-year-old Piper, set in near-future Melbourne, Australia, is part coming of age story and part call to action. Piper is smart, artistic, and rebellious. Deaf since the age of three, she is told by her mother that she needs to conform, compensate and appear normal. She meets Marley, a CODA (child of a deaf parent), and a whole new world opens up for her. This is a time of food scarcity, environmental collapse, and political corruption. Piper is determined to build a sustainable food garden and communicate with her mom, friends, and community like she never has before. Back matter in this amazing book includes information on the Deaf community and various forms of sign language and ideas for journaling. mjw |
Title: The Words In My Hands Author: Asphyxia Illustrator: Asphyxia Publisher: Annick Press Copyright: 2021 Original Language: English Original Title: Future Girl In Australia Original Publisher: Allen & Unwin, Australia Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-1773215280 Hardcover pages: 388 Age range: 13-16 Genre: Fiction, Novel Book setting: Australia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: Australia Awards: 2022 ALA Schneider Family Book Award for Teens, 2021 Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book of the Year for Older Readers 2021 White Raven Subjects: Activism, Auslan, Coming of age, Creativity, Deafness, Dystopian, Finger-spelling, Future, Gardens, Problem solving, Sign language, Special needs, Sustainability |
The Crow And The Peacock
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Title: The Crow And The Peacock Author: Jo Fernihough Illustrator: Jo Fernihough Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. Grand Rapids, Michigan Copyright: 2021 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Oxford University Press. Oxford, England Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5568-8 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book. Fable Author’s ethnicity: British Author’s residence: Cambridge, England Illustrator’s ethnicity: British Illustrator’s residence: Cambridge, England Subjects: Birds, Fables, Happiness |
Christmas Is Coming: Traditions From Around The World
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Title: Christmas Is Coming: Traditions From Around The World Author: Monika Utnik Strugala Illustrator: Ewa Poklewska Kozietto Publisher: NorthSouth Books, New York Copyright: 2021 Original Language: Polish Translator: Antonia Lloud-Jones Original Title: Ida swieta! Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG, Zurich Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4443-8 Hardcover pages: 136 Age range: 7 up Genre: Information Book, Nonfiction Author’s ethnicity: Polish Author’s residence: Italy Illustrator’s ethnicity: Polish Illustrator’s residence: Poland Subjects: Celebrations, Christmas, Customs, Traditions |
The Speckled Feather
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Title: The Speckled Feather Author: Johanna Ries Illustrator: Johanna Ries Publisher: NorthSouth Books, Inc. New York Copyright: 2020 Original Language: German Translator: David Henry Wilson Original Title: Die Fleckenfeder Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG, Zurich Original Copyright: 2020 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4447-6 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 40 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: African savanna Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Germany Subjects: Birds, Elephants, Greed, Loyalty, Savanna, Theft, Vanity, Wild dogs |